Apricot Almond Streusel Squares

By Dianne_H

The apricots make these bars rich in fiber, iron, potassium, riboflavin and beta-carotene.

Ingredients

• BASE & TOPPING:
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• pinch salt
• 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• TOPPING:
• 1 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 2/3 cups water
• 1 cup apricot preserves (preferably all fruit)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 3 large egg whites
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Details

Servings 16

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combione flour, sugar and salt. Add margarine, orange juice and almond extract and stir until mixture is well combined and crumbly. Use your hands to make sure the moisture is evenly distributed - the mixture will resemble fresh bread crumbs.

Remove 1 cup of the crumbs; set aside. Press the remaining crumbs into the bottom of an 8x8 inch pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until pale golden around the edges.

In a medium saucepan, combine apricots and water over medium heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until all of the water is absorbed. Cool for a few minutes, then puree in a food processor or blender and transfer to a medium bowl.

Add preserves, brown sugar, egg, egg whites, vanilla and slat to the pureed apricots and stir until well blended and smooth. Spread the topping over the rest and sprinkle with remaining crumbs, squeezing the crumb mixture a little as you do. Sprinkle with almonds.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, until pale golden ans set. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.